"I smiled grimly. Modern ideas."

December 10, 2021 7:50 AM

"There were no guests expected, and just before the dinner hour is not considered an appropriate time for casual calls, yet Dearing was greeting this presumptuous fellow as a prodigal son." In the short fairy-tale fantasy story "Thorns" by Martha Wells, the auntie of a family notices an intrusive threat.

From "Thorns":

Through gentle prying among the servants I ascertained that Duke Carl Kohler had been in correspondence with Electra's husband, over some matter of local history to which Dearing pretended an expert knowledge. His arrival had still been unexpected, however. I liked it not. A battle at my age is not the stirring prospect that it was when I was twenty, and in the fullness of my power. I had hoped to wane here in peace, watching the remains of the family bicker and occasionally amusing myself with the requests of the local peasantry, many of whom followed the old ways and remembered my existence.

At table I made sure to be seated so I could observe our illustrious guest without the monstrous bulk of the etagere blocking my view, and listened to such talk as passed for conversation among the others present. Several of Dearing's brothers and nephews were with us tonight, and were all flattered by the Duke's condescension and intent on making perfect asses of themselves. Kohler's smile was ready and his accent was barely discernible; he had, I believe, been educated in this country. I felt our guest's eyes on me, with more frequency than quite right -- I was no longer the kind of woman young men stared at.

It wasn't until the last remove of turbot that the reason for this visit was aired. As Dearing, who fancied himself something of an amateur historian, came to the end of a tiresome monologue on the age of the parish church, Kohler leaned forward and said, "That is fascinating, but the subject that I truly wanted to consult you on was the legends concerning the Great Thorn Forest. I'm thinking of making a study of it, myself."

Electra had been consuming wine, and at this point gave vent to a most unladylike snort. As her dinner companions were compelled to come to her aid, and the attention of the table was momentarily distracted, I said, "Are you really? I would never have guessed."

He turned the dazzling smile on me, and I saw I had not imagined the wary suspicion in the depths of his blue eyes. He said, "I am, Madame. Would you be able to assuage my curiosity?"

This post is part of a week of highlighting short speculative fiction stories published by online magazines that are no longer publishing, or that are on hiatus, but whose interesting archives remain online! Today: Lone Star Stories.

From 2004 to 2009, Lone Star Stories published new and reprint fantasy and science fiction stories and poetry. Authors included Terry Bisson, Ann Leckie, Jo Walton, Stephanie Burgis, Rachel Swirsky, Sandra McDonald, Sherwood Smith, and more. Browse past issues.

posted by brainwane (9 comments total)

Another wonderful post featuring a favourite author, Brainwane. Thank you.
posted by tuckshopdilettante at 9:55 AM on December 10, 2021 [1 favorite]

Thank you, brainwane, you have made my day. Martha Wells is a national treasure and I had never read this before.
posted by mygothlaundry at 11:37 AM on December 10, 2021 [3 favorites]

I -- like many MeFites -- deeply enjoy Wells's Murderbot books, but I haven't dug into her other work yet, and know I want to! Glad to share this. Here's more of her short fiction.

Oh and PodCastle did an audio version of "Thorns"!
posted by brainwane at 11:42 AM on December 10, 2021 [2 favorites]

Ooh, Martha Wells!
posted by Coaticass at 12:50 PM on December 10, 2021

Is the title a reference to Robert Silverberg's classic story of the same name?
posted by doctornemo at 1:31 PM on December 10, 2021

No, it isn't.
posted by doctornemo at 1:53 PM on December 10, 2021 [1 favorite]

I like the Murderbot books okay, brainwane, but the Raksura books? They are my candy; I love them so much, I just reread all five of the main series. For the third time.
The Fall of Ile Rien trilogy comes in a close second and I am going to reread those next spring or summer.
Granted, I am more of a fantasy reader than a sci fi reader, although I love and read both, but the Murderbot books are just a little short for me. I like long drawn out books and worlds I can get lost in for a long time.
posted by mygothlaundry at 2:19 PM on December 10, 2021 [3 favorites]

Another Martha Wells fan here, but for me it’s Wheel of the Infinite. I got rid of almost all my books and now keep my collection electronically. One of the exceptions is this book. I always hoped she’d write another story in that world with those characters. I supposed I should be happy that she wrote the one. (If you read this, Ms. Wells, I just want you to know you have one guaranteed buyer if you ever do write it).

Thanks for posting.
posted by AMyNameIs at 5:08 PM on December 10, 2021 [3 favorites]

ahh, Wells has been of my favorites since I was a teenager but I missed that this story existed. I'm almost done with a reread of the Raksura books and I'll save this for after, thank you for posting!
posted by jameaterblues at 6:25 PM on December 10, 2021 [3 favorites]